3A-8 Preview: Wide-open team race should make for thrilling finish at districts
Kabra Wrestling Rankings are updated every week all season long for Kabra+ members.
Last season: Palmetto’s vaunted senior class scored a big district IBT title win for the Tigers, which may have been the first in school history.
How did Kabra do?: Palmetto was out to prove people wrong last season and they certainly proved Kabra wrong.
Last year’s district tournament results
Last year’s region tournament results
Wrestlers to watch: Anthony Farnot (Fort Myers Gateway), Massimo Pellicano (Venice), Owen Nappi (North Port), Devon Young (North Port), Michael Schlegel (Palmetto), Kase Hopper (Venice), Craig Odom (Fort Myers Gateway).
The favorite: Venice. This district is wide open, but last year’s runners-up return 9 of 11 starters and have some big hitters in the lineup.
Team to watch: Palmetto. The vaunted senior class is gone, but they started a legacy and the young lineup added some key pieces via transfer too. Can they keep up the pressure on the top?
District duals: Saturday, December 27 at North Port
District IBT: Friday, February 20 at Sarasota
Venice Indians (#21 IBT, #22 Duals)
Coach: Jeremie Cook
Recent district results: 2025:2; 2024:3; 2023:4; 2022:3; 2021:3; 2020:4; 2019:2-2A10; 2018:2-2A10; 2017:2-2A10; 2016:2-2A10; 2015:1-2A10; 2014:1-2A10; 2013:1-2A11; 2012:2-2A11
Last state champion: Dan Stone, 2018 (138)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Seth Ryder, 55-9, 7th, RC, DC; Dylan Vu, 42-19, SQ, R4, D3; Brady Williams, Sr., 46-15, SQ, R4, DC (Moved).
Notable returning wrestlers: Massimo Pellicano, Sr., 58-7, 3rd, RC, DC; Kase Hopper, Sr., 52-12, SQ, R3, DC; Niccolo Pellicano, So., 43-17, RQ-BR, D2; Christian Medina, Sr., 47-17, RQ-BR, D4; Jeremiah Day, Sr., 25-23, RQ, D4.
Outlook: Last year’s group had the school’s best district finish since 2019 and the could be ready to take the next step and win the first IBT team title since 2015.
The Florida High School Wrestling 2025-2026 Season District Previews
Click on link to see preview
Class 3A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 2A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Class 1A: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Girls: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16
Independent: Ind
District Predictions: All 64 projected final IBT standings
Other content: Transfers | Coaching changes | Tournament schedule | Dual schedule | Team schedules
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Palmetto Tigers
Coach: Alex Thomas (5th season)
Assistant coaches: Scott Stewart, Gino Tutera, Robert McGill
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 21-6
Recent district results: 2025:1; 2024:2-2A10; 2023:3-2A10; 2022:5-2A11; 2021:3-2A10; 2020:3-2A10; 2019:3-2A10; 2018:3-2A10; 2017:3-2A10; 2016:3-2A10; 2015:6-2A10; 2014:2-2A10; 2013:2-2A11; 2012:3-2A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Jeson Carbajal, 32-11, 3rd, R2, D2; Jake Wyatt, 45-6, 3rd, R3, DC; Sean Herlihy, 36-14, SQ, R4, DC; Zayed Chishti, 7-7, RQ, D3; Garrett Pyle, 34-12, RQ, D3; Clyde Chapelle, 15-11, RQ, D4; Nevan Nadeau, 34-10, RQ-BR, DC; Aiden Carter; Gabe McClimon.
Notable returning wrestlers: Michael Schlegel, Jr., 37-12, SQ, R3, D2; Ryan Reid, Jr., 30-15, RQ-BR, DC; Dana Law, Sr., 36-9, RQ, D2; O'Ryan Anderson, Jr., 21-18, RQ, D3; Andre Zelaya; Rayon Cummings.
New wrestlers: Porter Daniels, So., 33-14, SQ, R3, D2 (Transfer from Manatee); Riley Craig, Jr., 24-14, SQ, R4, D2 (Transfer from Manatee)
What they are saying: “ I believe in having, realistic expectations. I would love to see us compete for that district IBT title and then obviously compete for that opportunity to go to state duals again. I don't know if we're going to be the favorites, there are some super competitive teams in our area, but the kind of our standard in the room now is we want to be district champions.”
On senior Dana Law: “He had an up and down year, but I’m super excited about what his season may end up being. I think there's people who have wrestled Dana who know how talented he is and he's not had the success that I know he's wished.“
On last year’s district-winning group and senior class: “That was my first kind of senior class. I started coaching those guys when they were freshman and then of course coached them the four years. So it was bittersweet to see them go, but of course sweet because we had an excellent year. That senior class was a big part of that and I'll always be grateful for the hard work and the effort and I think I used the phrase a lot. They kind of built the foundation that Palmetto wrestling is going to be built on for the next years and decades as far as I'm concerned.”
Outlook: The Tigers may have made school history last year with their district title and certainly had their best season in recent memory with the district title and reaching the region final in duals. The senior class that led that charge has moved on, but the room is not empty and this group expects to compete on the same level going forward.
North Port Bobcats
Coach: Channin Williams (3rd year)
Assistant coaches: Steven Nappi, Joe Bazenas, Devon Young
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:3; 2024:2; 2023:3; 2022:4; 2021:4; 2020:3; 2019:3; 2018:4; 2017:3; 2016:1; 2015:1; 2014:1; 2013:1; 2012:1
Last state champion: Dominic Joyce, 2022 (182)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Austin Nappi, 43-12, RQ, D3; Blayne Parrish, RQ, D4; Markell Porter, 46-17, RQ-BR, D2; Lochlyn Harris, Sr., RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Port Charlotte); Lucas Roberts, Sr., RQ-BR, D2 (Transfer)
Notable returning wrestlers: Devon Young, Sr., SQ, R4, D3; Owen Nappi, Jr., 53-9, 8th, RC, DC; David Ryan, Jr., RQ, D2; Eric Bertis-Sample.
Outlook: Even with some top wrestlers graduating and transferring, there is still a lot of experience back in the room for Williams’ third year in charge.
Lakewood Ranch Mustangs
Coach: Pat Ancil (17th as head coach, 21st at school)
Assistant coaches: Michael Schyck, Neil Werner
Click here for 25-26 schedule
24-25 dual record: 26-15
Recent district results: 2025:7; 2024:1-3A7; 2023:2-3A7; 2022:1-3A7; 2021:6; 2019:5; 2018:6; 2017:6; 2016:4; 2015:3-2A10; 2014:4-2A10; 2013:7-2A11; 2012:6-2A11
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Dylan Quaid, 21-19, RQ, D4; Kevin Haynie; Aiden Sanders, Sr., 47-11, SQ, R4, D3 (Transfer to Parrish)
Notable returning wrestlers: Shawn Maestre, Sr., 31-12, RQ, D2; Aaron Rodriguez, Sr., 29-21, RQ, D4; Heath Phillips, Sr., 26-13, RQ, D4; Mason Giunta, Sr., 19-13, RQ, D4; Zach Saunders; Cameron Seems; Ricardo Rengifo; Nick Chop; Daxton Martin; Jeremiah Martinez-Lazo; Luca Munoz; Tennyson Pacheco; Liam Benoit; Jack Higgins; Declan Feeney; Alex Miller
New wrestlers: Jamarcus Cuff, Sr. (Transfer from South Carolina); Tristan Sheffield (Transfer from Texas); Blake Bloodworth (Transfer from Michigan); Ayden Doran (Transfer from Manatee HS); Casey Coons (Transfer from Lakewood Ranch Prep Academy)
What they are saying: “It's a strong mix of first year kids that have some background that have a few years wrestling. We've got some nice incoming freshmen that are not green. They've got two, three, four, five years of wrestling in kids clubs and open tournaments. And then we got a nice group of returning seniors and a couple of strong juniors and some sophomores. It's the kind of mix that you like to have because you can really focus on teaching, breaking things down, and the kids are really excited to learn.”
More on team outlook: I guess the best way to describe it's a fun group and I thought they took it real seriously last year, but with Mike in the room, it just seems like it's a whole another level. And you hate to say it as a coach, and I don't think I was missing anything when I was coaching last year, but (Mike) brings a whole different perspective to it and I'm thrilled that he does. I think it's going to be pay tremendous benefits to us as a team."
On his assistant coaches: "Having two Hall of Fame coaches in your room is an extremely humbling experience. I just kind of sit back and watch and take it all in and just thank the Lord how pleased and how fortunate we are as a program because they're great kids."
Outlook: The Mustangs have four region qualifiers coming back but will have a full room working with some new assistant coaches looking to push guys back to a higher level.
Sarasota Riverview Rams
Coach: Brian Sebaaly (11th season)
Assistant coach: Jeremiah Cheek
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:6; 2023:6; 2022:7; 2021:8; 2020:6; 2019:8; 2018:10; 2017:7; 2016:9; 2015:8; 2014:8; 2013:8; 2012:8
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): CJ McCutcheon, 60-12, 3rd, RC, DC.
Notable returning wrestlers: Liam Daugherty, Jr., 24-22, RQ, D2; Adam Long, Jr., 28-22, RQ, D3; Alfonso Salgado, Sr., 6-7, RQ, D3; Jaxsun Blake, Jr., RQ, D3; Quinn Leonard, Jr., 9-9, RQ, D4; Luca Heidmann; Javier Puchi; Colin Sheehan; Josh Folving; Justin Lepow; Najee Rush-Springer; Joseph Delgato; Henry Donovan.
What they are saying: “We lost our only state placewinner, but we have multiple guys who won matches at regionals last year and have been training year long.”
On goals: “We'd like to set a new record for guys we send to regionals. We still have a very young team but they have been working hard and bonding together".”
Outlook: This is a young team that returning 11 of 12 starters and has just a single significant senior in the lineup.
Fort Myers Gateway Eagles
Coach: Unknown at time of publication
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:6; 2024:6-1A12; 2023:5-1A12; 2022:4-1A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Derrique Mytial, 32-14, SQ, R4, D2.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Anthony Farnot, Sr., 36-7, 5th, RC, DC; Craig Odom, So., 27-12, RQ-BR, D2; Matthew Garcia, Sr., 23-13, RQ, D2; Alejando Calzadilla, So., 23-12, RQ, D3; Bryce Vasquez, Sr., 28-10, RQ, D3.
Outlook: The Eagles could have as many as eight starters back this season.
Sarasota Sailors
Coach: Bob Phinney
Assistant coaches: Mike Jakub, Kevin Jakub
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:4; 2024:5; 2023:5; 2022:5; 2021:5-2A10; 2020:4-2A10; 2019:9; 2018:5; 2017:5; 2016:5; 2015:2-2A10; 2014:5-2A10; 2013:4; 2012:2
Last state champion: Tobias Baker, 2014 (220)
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Marco Virgala, 11-8, SQ, R2, D3; Israel Garcia, 35-16, RQ, D3; Johnny Yelvington, 13-8, RQ, D4; Michael Jakub, 48-17, RQ-BR, D2; Andres Anastasi, 10-9, D6; Luke Ladle, So., 40-10, RQ-BR, DC (Transfer to Cardinal Mooney)
Notable returning wrestlers: Lauden Simon, Sr., 30-10, RQ, D2; Lucas Anastasi, Jr., 8-16, RQ, D4; David Zhen; Nixon Flores; Kai Bartholomew
Outlook: The Sailors graduated a massive senior class and had a region qualifier transfer. They’ll be looking for wrestlers to step into those holes.
Lehigh Lightning
Coach: Unknown at time of publication
Click here for 25-26 schedule
Recent district results: 2025:8; 2024:7; 2023:7; 2022:8; 2021:5; 2019:7-2A11; 2018:8-2A11; 2017:6-2A11; 2016:6-2A11; 2015:10-2A12; 2014:10-2A12; 2013:8-2A12; 2012:?-2A12
Notable losses (Graduation/Transfer): Patrick Navarro, 20-14, RQ, D4.
Potential notable returning wrestlers: Brian Byrd, Sr., 9-17, RQ, D4.
Outlook: The Lightning had just four wrestlers in the postseason lineup a year ago.
3A-8 Season Schedules
Venice
Dec. 5-6: East Lake Duals at Tohopekaliga
Dec. 12-13: Fit2Win at Palm Harbor University
Dec. 17: vs. Parrish, 7
Dec. 19-20: Battle by the Bridge
Jan. 8: at Port Charlotte, 7
Jan. 9-10: Cradle Cancer at Jensen Beach
Jan. 17: King and Queen of the Island
Jan. 23-24: Moskowitz IBT at George Jenkins
Jan. 28: vs. Riverdale, 7 (Alumni Night)
Jan. 30-31: Colby Singletary Memorial at Estero Sports Complex
Feb. 4: at Manatee, 7
Feb. 5: at Charlotte, 7